Anthem is said to be most enjoyable when played in co-op with friends. What does that mean for solo players? Are there even proper single-player activities?
The background: BioWare, the developers of Anthem, are known for their demanding single-player titles like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. However, with Anthem, the studio fully focuses on online multiplayer and cooperation with other players.
What does that mean? In Anthem, most activities can only be completed as a group. However, each player can experience the story of the game on their own. The endgame looks a bit meager for solo players.
To play Anthem, you need a constant internet connection. There is no offline mode.
Instead, there is matchmaking for everything. The game automatically searches for other players when you are completing missions. Whether in raid-like strongholds or battling massive titans in the open world. In Anthem, you will always be assigned to a group.
The campaign is in single-player
This is how the story works: In Anthem, you take on the role of a Freelancer. This means you are an independent Javelin pilot who conducts various expeditions and missions.
BioWare emphasizes that the story is a pure single-player experience and will take place separately from the cooperative aspect of the shared-world shooter. They call this principle: “Our world, my story“
Between story missions, you spend your time in Fort Tarsis – your personal hub. Here, you experience the world of Anthem in first-person perspective and can interact with various NPCs and receive new missions.
A large part of the story will take place in Fort Tarsis, where you talk to various characters and make decisions. You will have two response options available in dialogue.
How long does the campaign of Anthem last? The campaign of Anthem lasts about 20 hours, depending on how much you do on the side. After you finish the story, you will be around levels 20 to 25.
From this point on, it becomes increasingly difficult for solo players. Especially the endgame is predominantly composed of content that is designed for groups.
How do I choose my character? Before starting the campaign, you select your human character from a palette of pre-designed pilots. You can personalize your Javelin suit in the “forge” with nearly unlimited options afterwards. You can even adjust the colors of the Javelins in minute detail.
What kind of relationships do I have with other characters? According to BioWare, these are more platonic than romantic. It is possible to form deep friendships or make someone your enemy. Romances like in previous BioWare titles such as Mass Effect are not possible. There will also be no sexual intercourse.
Solo missions
Not all missions can be played solo: Some missions in Anthem can only be completed in a group. The selection of missions that you can actually complete alone is limited.
In Fort Tarsis, you start any expedition. Expeditions are the missions in Anthem. You select the corresponding difficulty level and mission type.
These activities support single-player:
- Story missions
- Contracts
- Legendary Contracts
Can you explore the game world alone? There is no Freeplay offline mode. Freeplay means in Anthem that you explore the game world without a specific goal. You do not take on a mission beforehand. Random world events appear here, in which you can participate. It is possible to start a Freeplay expedition alone, but you will be thrown into matchmaking with other freelancers.
Do you have to play with other players? While you will encounter other players in the open world, whether you join them or simply ignore them is entirely up to you. You can separate from the group and do your own thing.
After starting the Freeplay expedition, you will be assigned to a squad of four players. This is intended to encourage cooperation. If a player leaves the squad, the system will immediately ensure a replacement.
Similar to the patrol in Destiny, you are not tied to a strike team here either. Along the way, you will only encounter a few friendly freelancers.
This seamless system allows you to explore the entire game world in Freeplay without having to adhere to other players or constraints.
The endgame as a single player
What does the endgame look like for solo players? Since endgame activities in Anthem are primarily designed for four players, the selection for loners is relatively slim.
Strongholds only in groups: So far, it is not possible to start the strongholds classified as endgame alone. Strongholds are essentially the raids in Anthem, for which there are particularly good items. Whether you will be able to initiate a raid alone in the future is currently uncertain. For now, the lone wolves among you should not have high hopes.
How do I acquire rare equipment as a solo player? As a single player, you gain access to high-quality items through Legendary Contracts.
Contracts are one of the main activities in Anthem, which is why they are a good source to constantly upgrade your arsenal.
Additionally, you can repeat Legendary Contracts at higher difficulty levels and really test your skills as a solo freelancer.
However, rare items can also drop in Freeplay at higher levels. While a solo experience is not guaranteed, you might be lucky to encounter a world event without other participants. World events are randomly occurring event missions that appear in the game world.
More single-player opportunities
What else is there? Challenges provide an additional way for solo players to achieve long-term progress without having to rely on the help of other players.
What are challenges? The “Challenges” are specific tasks you complete while playing. You can view these in your codex menu at any time.
Of particular interest are the weapon-specific challenges, which are categorized by weapon type.
What do these challenges provide? Weapon-specific challenges allow you to upgrade a specific weapon after you have used it for a certain amount of time.
If you defeat a certain number of enemies with the weapon of your choice, you complete its corresponding challenges. As a reward, you receive the blueprint for your favorite tool and can craft and upgrade it again.
What the developers say about the single-player mode
BioWare understands that many players want to experience the world of Anthem for themselves. That’s why the story can also be played in single-player mode.
However, the core of the game is designed for four players, as the developers firmly believe that Anthem is most enjoyable with friends.
BioWare places great importance on team dynamics and often emphasizes that the game is a better experience as a group. Only then does the game truly shine.
Not without reason is Anthem’s motto: “Strong Alone, Stronger Together.”
Here you can find out why the game, according to BioWare, doesn’t give you as much alone as with friends.
Conclusion on the single-player aspect of Anthem
Is it possible to play Anthem alone? Yes. In theory, there is a campaign that will also be expanded in the future. Due to large, world-changing events, new characters may come or go in the game.
It is possible to complete most activities, with the exception of the raid-like strongholds. Therefore, if you play Anthem alone, you will likely progress more slowly than someone playing in a group.
Does Anthem work as a pure single-player game? No. If you truly want peace from other players, Anthem is the wrong place for you. It will be impossible for a pure solo player to fully utilize Anthem. You would pay full price for a game but many activities would simply not be available to you.
However, if you are willing to engage in a bit of multiplayer, you can also enjoy Anthem as a single-player fan.
